Top Tracks of 2011

In my view, it was a pretty good year for new music. Some good albums by bands that I were looking forward to (Arctic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Decemberists); some good work from bands that I had sort of written off (PB&J, CSS, The Strokes) and then a whole bunch of great bands that were new (at least to me).

Overall, I think PB&J’s Gimme Some was my favorite album of 2011, but The Decembrists’ The King Is Dead and Arctic Monkeys’ Suck It And See were pretty close to the top. Special mention to Wild Flag’s eponymous debut both because I get to use the word eponymous and because it’s the kick-ass, hard rock girl group album of the year.

My least favorite album of 2011 (that I purchased) was Beyoncé’s 4. It got good reviews and all, but it was not for me.

Here are my top 26 tracks of 2011 in alphabetical order by artist:

Black Treacle by Arctic Monkeys from the album Suck It And See

Suck It And See by Arctic Monkeys from the album Suck It And See

Lost Weekend by Art Brut from the album Brilliant! Tragic!

New Direction by Black Lips from the album Arabia Mountain

Shake Me Down by Cage The Elephant from the album Thank You Happy Birthday

Long Time by Cake from the album Showroom Of Compassion

You Could Have It All [Explicit] by CSS from the album La Liberacion [Explicit]

Go Outside by Cults from the album Cults

Calamity Song by The Decemberists from the album The King Is Dead

Don’t Gotta Work It Out by Fitz & The Tantrums from the album Dangerbird Summer Sampler 2011 [Explicit]